Vacuum broom with replaceable bristles system and method

ABSTRACT

A system includes a housing, a handle connected to the housing, a vacuum connected to the housing, and replaceable bristles selectively connected to the housing. In non-exclusive examples, the system includes a carrier fixed with the bristles. The carrier is selectively connected to the housing for use of the system in sweeping and vacuuming and is selectively disconnected to the housing for replacement with a new carrier and bristles on wear of the prior bristles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to cleaning systems for home or commercial environment, and more particularly relates to a vacuum broom with replaceable bristles.

BACKGROUND

Typical home and commercial environments have vacuum devices and broom devices. These are usually separate devices. A user sweeps using the broom device to collect refuse in a location. The user then may vacuum the refuse using the room device at the location, or else collect the refuse in a dust pan or the like for disposal. Certain conventional vacuum and broom combinations employ fixed or securely connected elements. The broom bristles are fixedly connected to the vacuum device. When the bristles wear, the combination is less useful.

It would, therefore, be a significant improvement in the art and technology to provide combination vacuum and broom in a same device. It would further be an improvement to provide unitized combinations of elements of such devices that allow replacement, particularly when bristles become worn.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention is a system including a housing, a handle connected to the housing, a vacuum connected to the housing, and replaceable bristles selectively connected to the housing.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method. The method includes vacuuming a refuse with a broom, the broom includes a vacuum, and replacing the bristles of the broom.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacture of a broom vacuum cleaner. The method of manufacture includes providing a handle, connecting a housing to the handle, connecting a carrier to bristles, selectively connecting the carrier to the carrier connected to bristles are replaceable to obtain new bristles of the broom vacuum cleaner, and providing a vacuum to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a system for cleaning including a broom and vacuum combination, with replaceable bristles of the broom, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a system for cleaning, such as that of FIG. 1, including a broom and vacuum combination, with a carriage of bristles being replaced in a housing, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a right side perspective view of a system for cleaning, such as that of FIG. 2, including a broom and vacuum combination, with a replaceable carriage of bristles connected to a housing, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side perspective view of a system for cleaning, such as that of FIGS. 1, 2 and/or 3, including a broom and vacuum combination, with an openable collector in the housing for emptying vacuumed refuse, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of a system for cleaning including a broom and vacuum combination, with replaceable bristles of the broom, with internal vacuum motor and elements in phantom, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a circuit for a system for cleaning including a broom and vacuum combination, with replaceable bristles of the broom, according to certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of operation for a system for cleaning, the system includes a broom and vacuum combination, with replaceable bristles of the broom, according to certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 includes a housing 102 connected to a handle 103. The housing 102 encloses a vacuum motor 104 connected to a vacuum inlet 110 and a vacuum outlet 106. The vacuum inlet 110 is connected to a refuse container 108. The refuse container 108 is removably connected to the housing 102, The housing 102 removably connects to a carrier 112. The carrier 112 is connected to bristles 114. A button 116 of the carrier 112 allows selective snap in and, push button removal of the carrier 112 from connection to the housing 102.

In operation, the carrier 112 is connected to the housing 102 by features of the housing 102 and the carrier 112 (not shown in detail in FIG. 1). When so connected, the bristles 114 connected to the carrier 112 may be swept by handling the handle 103. The handle 103 extends to sufficiently avow a person to stand with the handle 103 in hands and to sweep via the bristles 114 on a floor or other surface.

The vacuum motor 104 is activated, as desired, and suction through the vacuum inlet 110 gathers refuse from the floor or other surface. The container 108 retains the refuse. The suction is exhausted through the vacuum outlet 108. The container 108 may be removed from connection to the housing 102 for empty of refuse collected.

The bristles 114 can become worn through extended use for sweeping. As desired, the button 116 may be depressed to disengage the carrier 112 from the housing 102. When disengaged, the carrier 112 may be removed from the housing 102. Replacement carrier and bristles (not shown) may then be substituted for the carrier 112 and bristles 114. As non-exclusive example, the housing 102 includes a guide on which the carrier 112 is slid on and off for engagement with the housing 102.

Referring to FIG. 2, a system 200 includes the housing 102 and the carrier 112 being disengaged from the housing 102. A guide 204 of the housing 102, which mates with a corresponding track (not shown) of the carrier 112, may be slidably or otherwise disposed for engagement and disengagement of the carrier 112 to the housing 102. A catch 202 of the housing 102 attaches the carrier 112 when the carrier is engaged to the housing 102 as shown in FIG. 1. A corresponding latch (not shown) of the carrier 112 removably connects to the catch 202, and the latch is, operable by the button 116 for disengagement of the latch to the catch 202.

In operation, the carrier 112 is connected to, as non-exclusive example, by sliding onto, the guide 204 by the matching track of the carrier 112. The carrier 112 is attached in secure connection to the housing 102 by the latch to the catch 202 upon contact. When the bristles 114 are to be removed, the button 116 is pressed. The carrier 112 is disconnected from, as non-exclusive example, by sliding from, the guide 204 by the track of the carrier 112.

Referring to FIG. 3, the button 116 is outwardly disposed when the latch of the carrier 112 is engaged to the catch 202 of the housing 102, The carrier 112 disposes the bristles 114 laterally protruding from a bottom of the housing 102. The vacuum motor 104 is located in the housing 102 between the vacuum inlet 110 and the vacuum outlet 106. The container 108 connects the vacuum inlet 110 and the vacuum outlet 106.

Referring to FIG. 4, a system 440 includes the housing 102 connected to the carrier 112. The bristles 114 extend from the carrier 112. The vacuum inlet 110 is disposed on a laterally extending edge of the housing 102, or otherwise disposed. The inlet 110 connects to the container 108. The vacuum motor 104 draws refuse into the inlet 110 and to rest in the container 108, Outlet air from vacuum by the vacuum motor 104 is exhausted through the vacuum outlet 106 connected to the container 108 and vacuum motor 104.

The container 108 can become filled or otherwise empty of the container 108 may be desired. A button 404 is connected to the housing 102 and a lid 402. The lid 402 may swing outward from the housing 102 when the button 404 is depressed. This disengages the lid 402 from connection to the housing 102 and opens the container 108. The container 108 may thereby be emptied or cleaned.

In operation, the handle 103 is held and the bristles 114 are swept across a floor or other surface, Refuse is vacuumed by positioning the vacuum inlet 110 on or near the floor or other surface. The vacuum motor 104 draws the refuse into and through the inlet 110, and into the container 108. Exhaust air from the vacuum motor 104 exits the outlet 106. When the container 108 is filled or empty is desired, the button 404 is pressed and the lid 402 swings (downward in FIG. 4) outward from the housing 102. The container 108 is opened to allow cleaning and empty.

Referring to FIG. 5, a system 500 includes the housing 102 connected to the carrier 112 with bristles 114. The vacuum inlet 110 fluidly connects to the container 108 and the outlet 106, The vacuum motor 106 includes a motor 506 and a fan 512.

The motor 506 is electrically connected to a power source 514 by a circuit 508. The circuit 508 includes a switch 504. The switch 504 may be closed by hand, by press of the outlet 110 against a surface, or otherwise as desired in the embodiment.

A filter 510 may be located in vicinity of the outlet 106. Vacuum air “A” circulates from the inlet 110, through the container 108, across the filter 510 and out through the outlet 106, when the vacuum 106 is activated. In non-exclusive example, the motor 506, the fan 512, the circuit 508, the power source 514 and the filter 510 are enclosed by the housing 102.

In operation, the carrier 112 is connected to the housing 102. The handle 103 is manually manipulated to sweep the bristles 114 across a floor or other surface to be cleaned. As desired, the switch 504 is switched to on and off to power on and off, respectively, the vacuum motor 506. As non-exclusive example, the switch 504 is switched to on when the vacuum inlet 110 is contacted to the floor or surface, and continues on for set period of time. Alternately, the switch 504 can be manually or otherwise turned on and off, or other configuration is possible in embodiments.

When the vacuum motor 506 turns on, the motor 506 rotates the fan 512 to create suction through the vacuum inlet 110. Refuse is suctioned into the vacuum inlet. The suction continues to and through the container 108, where the suctioned refuse is collected. The suction continues from the container 108, and passes through a filter 510 or the like which captures the refuse in the container 108. From the filter 510, the exhaust suction exits the housing 102 through the vacuum outlet 106.

The motor 506 stops rotation of the fan 512 when the switch 504 is turned off. The switching of the switch 504 from on to off may be as desired in the embodiments to allow refuse to be sufficiently vacuumed. The switch 504 when turned on electrically completes the circuit 504 so that the power source 514 powers the motor 506. The power source 514 may be a direct current (DC), or alternating current (AC) converted to DC, supply. If AC, a cord or other connector may be included.

Refuse may be vacuumed until desired fill of the container 108. When the container 108 is filled (or at other desired or configured stage), the vacuum motor 506 may be powered off and the container 108 emptied or otherwise cleaned. The container 108 is opened by press of the button 404 or other access device and swing upward of the lid 402. The container 108 may be emptied through the opening and/or the container may be removed from the housing 102 and emptied according to non-exclusive embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, a circuit 500 includes the vacuum motor 106. The vacuum motor 106 is electrically connected to a switch 604. The switch 604 is electrically connected to a power supply 802 electrically connected to the motor 106. Although not shown in the Figure, the circuit 500 may include other, different, further or alternative elements, such as, for non-exclusive example, resistors, capacitors, converters, semiconductors, transistors, and other devices according to sizing of the motor 106, electrical power source(s), and other aspects.

Referring to FIG. 7, a method 700 includes connecting 702 a carrier with bristles to a housing. The housing is connected to or incorporates a handle. The connecting 702 may be by sliding a track along a guide, snap in, other connectors, and combinations of connectors.

Once the carrier is connected 702 to the housing, sweeping 704 a refuse by the bristles may include manual manipulation of the handle or otherwise. When sufficient sweeping 704 is complete, switching 706 to on of the vacuum motor of the housing begins suction through an inlet. The inlet is moved in vicinity of the refuse for vacuuming 708 the refuse. In vacuuming, the refuse is suctioned into the inlet and on to a collector.

The collector collects 710 the refuse that is vacuumed. The collecting 710 may be performed by the housing, a separate collector connected to the housing, or otherwise. The collecting 710 continues until the refuse is vacuumed or a fill of the collector occurs.

Once collecting 710 is completed, switching 712 turns off the vacuum motor. The switching 712 may be performed via a manual or automated switch. The switch may be part of or included in the housing, the inlet, the handle, or otherwise.

If the bristles become worn, replacing 714 the carrier with bristles is performed by disconnecting (such as by press of button to unlatch a latch to a catch, or otherwise) the old used carrier with bristles from the housing. A new carrier with bristles is then connected to the housing (such as by sliding of a track along a guide, or otherwise), The carrier may securely connect to the housing to prevent dislodgement of the carrier from the housing during sweeping, but may be removable from such connection when replacement of the carrier and bristles, cleaning of the housing, or other action is desired.

After replacing 714, the method 700 returns to sweeping 704.

If on completion of switching 712 the collector or other capture vessel of the refuse is filled, reaches a desired level, is to be cleaned or otherwise, opening 716 the collector allows access to within the collector or vessel, Opening 716 may be performed manually or automatedly, according to embodiments. As non-exclusive example, a button of the housing may be manually pressed to release a lid from secure connection to the housing. The lid may open the collector and/or, according to non-exclusive embodiments, allow the collector to be removed from integration with the housing, or otherwise.

Emptying 718 the collector is, as non-exclusive example, performed by shaking, turning, or otherwise manipulating the collector in a waste bin or other device. Replacing the collector in the housing and/or closing the lid, and/or other action or combination 720, renders the vacuum capable of again returning to sweeping 704 or vacuuming 708, as desired.

As will be understood, wide variation is possible in the foregoing embodiments. Various carrier and bristle arrangements and configurations are possible if replaceable in connection to a housing or vacuum. The vacuum unit can be any type of vacuum device and can include all possible vacuum technologies. Non-exclusive embodiments include unitized features of the system, as well as component options. For example, the collector can be unitized, and may be removable or disengaged with a housing or the carrier, the carrier and bristles may be unitized, and may be slidable and snapped for engagement and disengagement with the housing or collector, as applicable. The power source may be DC or AC, including any conversion, and may be internal or external to the housing, the earner, and/or otherwise. Although housing of the unit is illustrated as a wedge shape, alternative designs and shapes are possible to provide for selective connection and disconnection of bristles, such as for non-exclusive example via a carrier, Variation is also possible in the operations of the bristles, carrier, housing, vacuum, collector and other aspects. Additional, alternative, and replacement elements are possible, such as, for non-exclusive example, a variety of collector level controls, switching devices and operations, inlet and outlet configurations, bristle monitors, and other elements, devices, components and features are all included, Although certain operations are disclosed, numerous other steps, operations, processes and methods may be implemented in the systems.

In the foregoing, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that various modifications, substitutions, deletions, and additions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications substitutions, deletions, and additions are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that may have been described above with regard to specific embodiments, as well as device(s), connection(s), step(s) and element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a housing; a handle connected to the housing; a vacuum connected to the housing; and replaceable bristles selectively connected to the housing.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a vacuum inlet communicatively connected to the vacuum; a collector selectively connected to the housing and communicatively connected to the vacuum inlet; and a vacuum outlet communicatively connected to the collector.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a switch connected to the vacuum; a power source connected to the switch and the vacuum.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein activation of the switch to “on” powers on the vacuum for suction of refuse.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the switch is programmed to remain “on” for a set period of time after activation.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the switch is “off” unless activated.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the inlet is connected to the switch and activates the switch on contact to a surface.
 8. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a carrier connected to the bristles for selectively retaining the bristles to the housing; a guide of the housing; a track of the carrier, corresponding to the guide for connection and disconnection of the bristles from the housing.
 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a latch of the carrier; and a catch of the housing, the latch engages the catch to securely connect the carrier to the housing and disengages the catch when activated to disconnect the carrier from the housing.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the collector is removably connected to the housing, the vacuum inlet and the vacuum outlet.
 11. A method, comprising: vacuuming a refuse with a broom, the broom includes a vacuum; replacing the bristles of the broom.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: collecting the refuse from vacuuming in a collector; and emptying the collector.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein replacing includes disconnect a carrier from a housing of the broom, the carrier includes current bristles for replacing, and connecting another carrier to the housing, the other carrier includes new bristles.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: collecting the refuse from vacuuming in a collector; and emptying the collector.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: filtering a vacuum exhaust from vacuuming.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: selectively switching the vacuuming on and off.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selectively switching turns on vacuuming when a vacuum inlet connected to the broom contacts a surface.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the selectively switching turns off vacuuming at a preset time after the selectively switching turns on the vacuuming.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selectively switching turns off vacuuming at a preset time after the selectively switching turns on the vacuuming.
 20. A method of manufacture of a broom vacuum cleaner, comprising: providing a handle; connecting a housing to the handle; connecting a carrier to bristles; selectively connecting the carrier to the carrier connected to bristles are replaceable to obtain new bristles of the broom vacuum cleaner; and providing a vacuum to the housing. 